Hawke's Bay residents have two weeks to have their say about the region's Pest Management Strategy.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council's five-year formal review process will start once comments on a discussion document are received.
Biosecurity manager Campbell Leckie said there was a range of issues to be considered in the discussion document.
"This
is not a 'business as usual' strategy, as we are looking at some new management and control options, and some new pests to be considered for inclusion," Mr Leckie said.
"It's a good opportunity for people to provide comment so we can be well informed when we are preparing the draft strategy."
One new approach council was considering was pest pathway management to limit the spread of pests, such as argentine ants which were now in the region and spread mainly through households shifting pot plants and other outdoor material when people move house.
Improved surveillance was another option proposed in the discussion document, aimed to support MAF Biosecurity's role by having the council focus on pests of particular risk to Hawke's Bay's economy or environment.
"However, while there are many plant and animal pests that could adversely impact the region's economy and environment, the strategy needs to focus on where council intervention can make a significant difference at an affordable cost," Mr Leckie said.
"Affordability is a key element as, in many cases, the cost is borne by the resident or land owner who have the pest on their property."
The current strategy, from 2006, had developed the Pest Control Area programme, where farmers maintained possum control after council contractors finished an initial intensive control.
In Wairoa, the strategy also prompted a joint control programme with possum fur contractors.
It also signalled the start of the Hawke's Bay Urban Biodiversity (HuB) control programmes in Napier and Havelock North.
The discussion document was available from www.hbrc.govt.nz or by contacting the council.
Comments are required by Friday, April 21. The formal draft strategy will be notified in August for submissions.
